Page 15 of The Laughing Game

“But if you were straight, that might have sent you running for the hills. And we didn’t want to risk it,” Gideon explained. “We wanted to make friends with you because you’re a cool person.”

“But you’re a very attractive man, Angel. You must know that. You can’t have had too much trouble pulling at the local bars,” Vihaal said. “Women, I mean.”

“Well, no. But that whole scene is getting a bit…old,” I said, gazing at Vihaal, then glancing at Gideon. My gaze tracked down the younger man’s body then over to Vihaal’s. “And boring. You know.”

Vihaal smiled in such a smug way I was surprised he didn’t reach out and undo the fly of my jeans. “Well, Idon’tknow, to be honest, but I’m very glad to hear it.”

Vihaal wrapped his hand around my bicep, then tugged me forward.

It felt awkward for a split second, but he smelled amazing and his stature and solidity made me feel strangely subdued. We were almost the same height, but that was where the similarity ended. I didn’t struggle, even when I realized that I could feel exactly how much he was enjoying our proximity.

“Angel. We would be happy to help you figure out exactly what you want.”

“More than happy,” Gideon murmured, watching us like it was the most thrilling episode of a new reality show.

Vihaal held me for a moment, gazing at me with an incendiary look. Then he let go and stepped back.

I reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling him back to me, and our mouths came together as my world exploded.

He responded to my amateurish attempts at kissing him. I knew I was overthinking it, and probably making a mess of it, but I didn’t care.

“Fuck,” Gideon whispered. “Jesus.”

My body was combusting, and I would have given him whatever he’d wanted.

I was breathless and aching with need when Vihaal finally ended it, carefully drawing back as I tried to stay with him. But he gave me a stern look and shook his head once, which was enough.

“Sorry,” I murmured, dazed. I touched my lips with my fingers, still feeling the electricity of our connection. “I’m sorry.”

“For fuck’s sake, don’t apologize.”

I laughed. “Too desperate?”

Vihaal continued to regard me with an intense expression. “Oh no. I enjoy desperation, as a matter of fact. Very much.”

Gideon rolled his eyes. “Well, there you go. You’ve had a taste of the Dommiest Dom this side of the US border,” he said. “There’s no point resisting.”

“Yeah. I think you’re right,” I said, feeling dazed.

“I don’t mean to break up this little”—Gideon waved his hand—“exploration. But. I made sandwiches. And I really want to use my tiered stand.”

“Of course, Deo,” Vihaal said, still gazing at me. “And anyway, I’m famished.”

He licked his lips and a thrill of desire coursed through me at the memory of that kiss and at the way he looked like he could eatmefor afternoon tea.

The silver tiered platter was a thing of beauty and Gideon wielded it like it was The One Ring. He placed it gingerly on the coffee table and stepped back, smiling with pride. Sweet triangle sandwiches with the crusts cut off were piled high on every tier. He’d arranged them to make an attractive design and I was loath to ruin it.

“Help yourselves. There’s egg salad, tuna salad, cucumber and cream cheese, and ham.”

“Gideon, I’m impressed,” I said. “You must have spent the whole morning making them.”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. They’re fun to make. And I wanted to try a new tuna salad recipe. The egg salad is my own that I’ve been perfecting. And I think I might have nailed it this time.”

I sat down on the settee and took a plate, then took one of each and arranged them in a circle.

“He did a wonderful job, didn’t he? My little Deo likes to play housewife on occasion, and I certainly don’t mind,” Vihaal said, taking a plate of his own. He put three of the tiny sandwiches on his plate, then resumed his seat.

“Well, it’s nice to be fancy once in a while,” Gideon said. “Oh, shit! The tea!”

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